My thoughts on the MINI One

[AB]

So, I had the MINI One for the weekend. Starting on Friday morning, up until I dropped it back on Sunday.

Firstly, here are the stats;

1.4 litre / 4 cylinder / 16v
95 bhp
0-60 11 seconds
Top Speed 115

Let me start by saying that it is so obvious that the chassis can handle SO much more power, the Cooper S must be a hoot to drive. Honestly, the little thing is like a go kart - but my god it is painfully slow.

You can chuck it into corners, but it can't pull itself back out again.


I did a long motorway journey on Friday and my recommendation would be that if you plan on spending any time on a motorway, don't waste your time on this model. I timed it 50-70 in 6th gear, fair enough this is a rough measurement but it took nearly 20 seconds, took 12 seconds in 4th - I spent a lot of time in 3rd at motorway speeds. If you are following the pack, and they slow down, it takes an age to speed back up again. Let me put this into perspective, I had a Toyota Aygo behind me, we slowed from 70 to 55. The Passat diesel in front of me sped up, I dropped to 3rd gear and planted my foot... the Passat pulled away swiftly without even trying and the Aygo was glued to my rear bumper - I doubt even she was trying. However, between 0.7 and 0.9 leptops it behaves itself well, feels safe, very smooth - but you have to be careful not to be held up, or life becomes painful again.

OK, so around town it is fairly nippy, the drive is smooth and refined and the gearbox is nice.

Not much in the way of spec to be honest, it was a base model courtesy car afterall. Air con worked nicely.

Overall consumption for the weekend, 34.6 mpg - shocking figures and that certainly is not leathering it around town, just making progress as I normally would.

White, shocking colour, I cant stand it.

Engine note, when my brother drove it up the road, it sounded quite meaty for some reason.

In conclusion, painfully slow, but fantastic handling little car. I'd have a Cooper S if I could put up with the styling, its just not for me, a little feminine perhaps?

What sort of competition is this aimed at?

[va1o]

Good review, although I don't think its painfully slow, just adequete.

Its aimed at the MiTo 1.4 and Fiesta 1.4, which are both 95bhp, and to some extent it also competes with the likes of the Mercedes A150, again 95bhp, although the Merc is quite a lot bigger inside.

[AyBee]

Having driven a 52 plate one (auto ) I have to agree with your review completely, although the auto did kick down so you didn't have to change down to get back up to speed. Would love to try a Cooper S or JCW because like you say, it feels like a go-kart in the twisties.

[Wilburo]

va1o said:

Good review, although I don't think its painfully slow, just adequete.

Agreed.

I had one as a courtesy car about a month ago and was really impressed. Firstly, it was in gulf racing colours, with the JCW bodykit, so looked excellent, but this came at a cost - it weighed in at £16,xxx. I prefer the interior in the R53 (mk.1 Cooper S), which seems a little more grown up - especially around the centre console.

Driving it around, there was a good compromise between comfort and control, with the car leaning a little bit in the corners but being very comfortable. The handling in general was excellent, feeling a little more grown up than the R53, though I found the steering glassy - no doubt due to the move to electric power steering.

The engine and gearbox were excellent - I actually think the 90 bhp engine punched considerably above it's weight providing good acceleration / noise above 3000 rpm. The trick was to use the stick to keep it in the power zone all the time, which was great fun as the shift was much better than the R53.

Stop-start also seemed very good, though I'd be worried about it breaking

Overall, it was a really convincing package - if I wanted something easy-to-drive and fun, I'd definitely consider one, if I was loaded.